Horror Master John Carpenter to Direct Darkchylde Adaptation

11.01.10 by BJSprecher

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It's fitting that a major announcement involving the man who helped turn the Halloween holiday into more than just tricks and treats should occur on Halloween. Yesterday, a press release was distributed that announced acclaimed horror movie director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing, The Fog) will be directing the big screen adaptation of Randy Queen's Darkchylde comic book.

A popular series in the '90s—especially among the most elusive of comic book demographics, young female readers—Darkchylde eventually spawned all manner of related merchandise, from trading cards and toys to lunch boxes and apparel. More of a dramatic, horror-tinged comic than a classic "superhero" book, the series revolved around Ariel Chylde, an innocent southern teen cursed with the ability to transform into the creatures that haunt her nightmares. In the release, Carpenter expressed his enthusiasm for the project and compared Ariel Chylde to his protagonist in Halloween.

Randy Queen’s hijacked angel, Ariel Chylde, is the best young female character since Laurie Strode in Halloween. Bringing Ariel and her dark mysteries to life should be quite an adventure for us all.

The press release also included a statement from Queen, who said that he was "beyond thrilled" to have "one of the most important, and legendary genre directors" working on his creation.

As a horror fan, the thought of Carpenter and [multiple Academy Award-winning effects company] Weta [Workshop (The Lord of the Rings, Avatar)] together, beautiful dreamscapes, and multiple transformations, makes me incredibly excited. There is a reason nearly his entire catalog has, or is being remade, and it’s because Carpenter is a genius.

Carpenter will also produce Darkchylde with Sandy King's Storm King Productions and Randy and Sarah Queen's Darkchylde Entertainment. The release was also accompanied by a teaser poster of the movie bearing Carpenter's name.